The Academy
The Academy has a simple and smart uniform which we expect all students to wear.
Please look at all of the information on this page, to make sure that you buy the correct items.
We are able to provide a number of items for students that are eligible for Free School Meals or Pupil Premium Funding - look at the section at the bottom of the page for more information.
Uniform
Compulsory Items – Clothing
- Blazer with Academy logo. This must be worn around the Academy.
- Tie in house colours with logo
- White blouse or shirt tucked into waistband with top button fastened
- Plain black tailored trousers or plain black tailored skirt, knee or ankle length
- Plain black socks
Compulsory Items – Footwear
- Plain black leather-type polishable shoes – NOT trainers
- Plain black v-neck jumper with or without sleeves (optional – but no cardigans). A jumper must not be worn instead of a blazer. All students must wear blazers
- Salwar Kameez, headscarves and turbans should be a plain colour
- Blazers and ties should be worn at all times.
- Outdoor coats may be a variety of colours but should be smart, ideally waterproof and not covered in lettering.
- Ankle boots may be worn underneath trousers but should be smart and polishable. Shoes and boots must have a flat sole or have a low heel.
These items are not permitted as part of the Academy uniform
- Trainers. Plain black trainers are not permitted, students must wear shoes
- Trousers or skirts made from jersey material, or that are ribbed
- Baseball caps
- Hats, hoods, du-rags or bonnets
- Hoodies, tracksuit tops, tech fleeces
- Small bags or pouches
- Brightly coloured nail varnish, false nails
- Extreme hairstyles (bright/unnatural colours, lines or patterns shaved in hair)
P.E Kit
COMPULSORY ITEMS – CLOTHING
- WBCA branded short sleeved t-shirt
- WBCA branded long sleeved tracksuit top
- Plain black tracksuit bottoms, small logo permitted, no stripes down the legs
Or
- Plain black football shorts
COMPULSORY ITEMS – FOOTWEAR
- Trainers for activities in the Sport Hall and on the MUGA
- All boys require football boots from September through to January
- Girls require football boots in April and May. Astro trainers may be suitable if the weather permits
Black base layers can be worn under the WBCA PE top.
Items that are not permitted
- Leggings
- Cycling shorts
- Coloured base layers
- Non-WBCA branded tracksuit tops
Other Important Information
For health and safety reasons, we have set the following rules:
- One pair of small stud earrings may be worn (one earring per ear) but should not be excessively large. If the Academy considers that earrings present a health and safety risk, the student will be instructed to remove them.
- One small nose stud may be worn. Multiple studs are not allowed. No other facial piercings.
- Earrings and nose studs must be removed for PE lessons.
- Long hair must be tied back for PE and practical Science lessons (please provide students with a bobble).
- Other jewellery should not be worn and students will be asked to remove it.
- Baseball caps are not allowed to be worn at any time while on the Academy site. Hats, hoods or other headwear such as du-rags, must not be worn inside the Academy.
- No hoodies, sports jackets, tracksuit tops or tech fleeces.
- No nail extensions, false nails and/or brightly coloured nail varnish.
- No extreme hairstyles (e.g. bright unnatural colours, patterns or lines shaved in hair).
- No small bags (pouches) – students must bring a school bag that is large enough to carry all of their equipment including an A4 sized folder.
- Chewing gum and energy drinks are not permitted, will be confiscated and a 1 hour detention issued.
- Other banned items include any item that is deemed underage or has the potential to cause harm to others. Please see our Behaviour Procedures for further information.
Please use the Uniform Discrepancy section at the back of the Student Planner to report any uniform issues to your child’s Form Teacher.
If there is an issue with an item of uniform your child will be issued with an item of Academy uniform to borrow.
They will be asked to correct the item of uniform as soon as possible; the Form Teacher may speak to family to offer some assistance.
If there is no valid reason for incorrect uniform, a sanction will be issued.
Where to Buy Uniform
We have two suppliers for our branded uniform items:
The Academy blazer, tie and PE sports tops must be purchased from one of these suppliers.
Other items may be purchased from retailers of your choice, provided they meet the requirements on this list.
You may be untitled to apply for a voucher worth £25 to support you in buying your child’s Academy uniform.
Please find the criteria and further details on how to apply here.
Applications must be made via the Sandwell website and you must have a mySandwell account to apply online. We cannot accept applications and do not issues vouchers from school – it is done as part of the Sandwell scheme and we have been assured by contacts at Sandwell that the system is up and running and working.
We will be putting the following into place moving forwards:
- We will accept donations of clean items of uniform that are in good condition, including shoes and trainers.
- A list of second-hand items that are available can be requested by contacting main reception.
- Items can be reserved and collected from main reception.
- We will not require payment for items although we are happy to accept small donations that would be used to support student opportunities within the Academy.
- If you would like to make a donation for an item of uniform, please inform the team at main reception who can add the item to your child’s Parent Pay account.
Student Equipment
It is expected that students will bring their own set of equipment that they need to use in lessons each day.
Essential equipment
School bag that is large enough to carry an A4 folder and PE kit.
Pencil case containing:
- Black or blue pens (black pen must be used in exams)
- Pencil
- Ruler
- Rubber
- Sharpener
- Green pen
- Glue stick
- White board pen
- Pencil crayons or felt pens
- Highlighter pens
- Safety scissors
- Geometry set including compass and protractor
- Scientific calculator (Casio model fx83GT is the preferred type that we use in school)
- Post-it notes
- Flash cards
- A4 folder containing dividers for each subject
Students will be provided with a Student Planner (diary/notebook) for recording homework and an A4 plastic popper folder for storing sheets.
Pupil Premium:
Uniform and Equipment Support
If your child is eligible for Pupil Premium Funding you will receive a letter outlining what we can do to offer support.
Part of this offer includes providing a set of equipment including:
- Basic stationery and equipment provided for free at the start of each academic year and top ups when required (pens, pencils, ruler, green pen, pencil case, glue stick, rubber, whiteboard pen, sharpener)
- A scientific calculator
- Geometry set
- Art materials
- WBCA long-sleeved tracksuit top
- Revision guides and key texts as and when required
- Revision materials such as flash cards, folder with dividers and poly pockets, highlighters, coloured pens
